Feb 26, 2016

ivanka, a quiet but clear supporter

Ivanka, who introduced her father when he announced his candidacy, has been described as "the quiet power behind the Trump throne" by Politico: the levelheaded, calm antidote to her father's speak-from-the-gut rabble-rousing. In the last year alone he has proposed a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. and the deportation of 11 million residents of this country to somewhere south of the border. He has made comments widely deemed to be sexist about Megyn Kelly and Carly Fiorina. He is also responsible for shattering cable news viewership records; last August's Fox News GOP debate trounced the season premiere of The Walking Dead. And, himself a billionaire, he has proposed a tax hike on hedge fund income. Clearly, he has touched multiple nerves.

Meanwhile, Ivanka stands by his side, a quiet but clear supporter, appearing consistently cool and supremely well behaved. Amazingly, the perpetual fracas that swirls around Donald bypasses her. She enhances him, but he does not damage her. He has said his daughter is his close adviser, though she plays down her influence. "His focus is on politics, and he is running for the highest elective office in this country, and arguably the world, and so from a business perspective I'm busier than ever. My brothers and I are running our business," she says, referring to Eric and Donald Jr. "But it's amazing to see how his message has resonated and what he's been able to accomplish as a non-politician with a very strong point of view."

She is not part of his campaign, she states, "but he's my father and I love him and I fully support him. I'm always there for him if it's helpful." Donald says Ivanka inherited from him "a certain business ability and a vision into the future." She was also, he writes via e-mail from the campaign trail, "always a great student without having to work hard, a person everybody liked right from the beginning. And yet I could always see an inner strength or toughness."